Gov. John Hickenlooper boasts popularity of branding program on eve of hearing

Posted By Lynn Bartels On February 4, 2014 @ 7:45 am In Colorado Legislature,Colorado Politics,Economy and Business | 9 Comments

Check out Colorado’s new logo on the product. The governor’s office says the branding is a way to market Colorado. (Provided by governor’s office)

Talk about an ingenious marketing strategy: the day before a House hearing centered on dislike of the state’s new logo, Gov. John Hickenlooper’s office announced 250 Colorado companies have registered to have it attached to their products.

Colorado’s new logo.

“Colorado made.” Colorado designed.” “Colorado company.” And the companies that have registered for the byCOLORADO[1] program include such favorites as to-die-for Enstrom Candies and Otterbox.

The House Business, Labor, Economic, & Workforce Development Committee at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday will hear HB 1071 by Rep. Bob Rankin[2], R-Carbondale. His measure would allow voters to decide in November on the new logo unveiled last summer.

“Colorado has a healthy, vibrant business climate and maker-economy,” Kennedy said. “In fact, the state is leading the nation in many industries such as natural foods, aerospace, quick casual restaurants and sustainable energy. However, much of the nation and world is largely unaware that we have more than mountains and a couple Hall of Fame quarterbacks here.”

The goal is to enroll 1,000 companies by the end of 2014 and 2,500 by end of 2015, according to a news release from the governor.

“When a talented engineer in Chicago continues to see the ‘Colorado Made’ icon on things she buys, like her milk carton, bread, crackers, ski jacket, socks, shoes, duffle bag, she just might expand her perception about Colorado and the prospects of having a rewarding career here, along with a healthy lifestyle,” Kennedy said.

“This program will make it easier for all of us buy local and help us attract the talent we need to thrive in the global marketplace, achieving brain-gain instead of brain-drain in Colorado.”